Preparing Your Script

If you’re planning to bring a script for a table read with PDX Playwrights, please read the Playwright FAQ section and review the below guidelines:
  • Prepare your play in a standard play format. While different theater companies and competitions present variations within these standards, and PDXP does not insist on a specific format for writers, several excellent examples are available online:
  • Read your play out loud before you submit for a reading, and before your play’s reading night at PDXP. Read the stage directions, too, because those will probably also be read aloud at the meeting. Reading aloud in advance will help you to refine your play’s dialogue and readability, and help you to advise readers of any specific qualities you may seek.
  • Time your play. While standard formatting approximates a page of dialogue for a minute of run time, that might not be true for your play. Please let us know your estimated running length when you submit your play. If you make any substantial changes to your play before the reading that will affect the length, please let us know.
  • Notify us about play when submitting for a table read, including the following information:
      • Your name as you’d like it listed on our website and newsletter, and contact information (email, phone)
      • The name of your play as you’d like it to appear in announcements (such as our newsletter and on our website)
      • A brief (one- to three-sentence) description of your play, designed to entice interest as well as suggest its subject
      • The page count and length of your play in minutes
      • Number of male and female characters, and whether you will be needing or bringing actors to read the parts (both options welcome)
  • Bring enough printed copies of your play for each actor/reader, including one for stage directions and one for yourself. If you can, bring extra for others who are listening – some like to read along.
  • Prepare questions on any topic on which you’d like feedback on your play. Examples:
      • “Were my characters’ voices distinct enough?”
      • “Was the murder scene in Act II realistic?”
      • “What surprised you most about the play?”
      • “I want the play to be 10 minutes shorter. What would you suggest I cut?”